AN optician has raised money to help the visually impaired.

Specsavers in Darlington has raised £2,657 pounds for Guide Dogs.

A team of fundraisers at the Specsavers Darlington branch took part in a climb of Roseberry Topping and a quiz night, as well relying on collections from the public.

The money raised follows fundraising activities earlier this summer at Preston Park in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, which saw almost £300 raised.

As a thank you for raising the money, Guide Dogs have said the store will now have the honour of naming a puppy.

They have put forward suggestions of Austin, Roxy and - for obvious reasons - Speckles.

Gery Learmont, director of the Darlington Specsavers branch, said: "Guide Dogs is a wonderful charity and is one which I and the whole team here are delighted to support.

"The team really threw themselves into this fundraising campaign with huge enthusiasm.

"The activities struck a real chord with customers and others who responded with amazing generosity.

"The new puppy will carry one of our chosen names and our very best wishes for the future," he added.